But the Kohathites are not to go in and look at the holy objects, even for a moment, or they will die.”
Parallel translations
- WEB but they shall not go in to see the sanctuary even for a moment, lest they die.”
- KJV But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die.
- NKJV But they shall not go in to watch while the holy things are being covered, lest they die.”
- NASB but they shall not come in to see the holy objects even for a moment, or they will die.”
- NLT The Kohathites must never enter the sanctuary to look at the sacred objects for even a moment, or they will die.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The Kohathites were forbidden to look at the holy things even for a moment, lest they die. God's holiness demanded the utmost reverence.
Overview
Gazing on the uncovered sacred objects would be a fatal intrusion into God's holiness, reserved for the priests alone. This severe boundary impressed upon Israel that God cannot be approached on human terms. The contrast with the gospel is striking: through Christ, believers now behold God's glory with unveiled face (2 Corinthians 3:18), an access purchased at the cross.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- 1 Sam 6:19But God struck down some of the people of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter.
- Exod 19:21and the LORD said to him, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the LORD, lest many of them perish.
- Num 4:19In order that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things, do this for them: Aaron and his sons are to go in and assign each man his task and what he is to carry.
- Num 4:15When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their equipment, as soon as the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites shall come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the Tent of Meeting.
- Lev 10:2So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD.
- Heb 10:19–20Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
- Rev 11:19Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder, and an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
In the wilderness Christ is the water from the rock, the bronze serpent lifted up that the dying might look and live (John 3:14), and the star and scepter that Balaam saw rising out of Jacob.
How Numbers 4:20 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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